History Archives

Abraham Lincoln’s Early Life: 1809-1829 (And There Was Light)

What was Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with his father like? How did other children regard him? What influences formed his political views? Pulitzer Prize-winning presidential biographer Jon Meacham describes Abraham Lincoln’s early life in his book And There Was Light. He provides insights into Lincoln’s parents, education, and faith that help us understand America’s 16th president. Read more to learn about Abraham Lincoln’s early life.

Machines Taking Over Jobs: A Tale as Old as Time

Are you worried that you’ll lose your job to a machine? What’s the historical precedence for this concern? Economist Robert J. Shiller points to several narratives that tap into fundamental themes that have shaped our collective understanding of past economic events. In turn, the narratives themselves come to have a profound influence on future events. One of these narratives entails machines taking over jobs. Keep reading to learn about this recurring economic narrative that provides some needed perspective.

Abraham Lincoln’s Christianity: His Guiding Light of Faith

What role did religion play in Abraham Lincoln’s life? What did he believe? In And There Was Light, Jon Meacham writes about America’s 16th president. Meacham emphasizes Abraham Lincoln’s Christianity, and he frequently refers to Lincoln’s religious beliefs to explain how they helped guide Lincoln’s thoughts and actions. Keep reading for an inspiring discussion of Lincoln’s Christianity.

Amazon in 2001: How Jeff Bezos Rose Above Bad Share Prices

How did Amazon survive its first major downturn? Why does Amazon value its relationship with customers so much? In Invent and Wander, Jeff Bezos looks back at Amazon 2001’s crisis when share prices dropped dramatically. Yet it was still a learning experience for Bezos, who managed to turn things around for Amazon. Discover the lessons Bezos took away from Amazon’s share price dropping in 2001.

Abraham Lincoln’s Political Career (And There Was Light)

How and why did Abraham Lincoln get into politics? When did his centrist approach fail him? What song did he want played after the announcement of the Union’s victory? In And There Was Light, historian and biographer Jon Meacham discusses Abraham Lincoln’s political career, including the president’s actions during the Civil War. Meacham also provides some background information that sheds light on Lincoln’s politics and abilities. Continue reading to learn about Abraham Lincoln’s political career.

Britney Spears: Timeline of Her Most Defining Events

What’s the timeline of Britney Spears’ key events in her life? How did she go from a small-town girl to the biggest pop star in the world? Spears’s life story includes sadness and success. But despite the depth of her darkest moments, she insists the bad times don’t diminish the happiness she’s found through her music and raising her children. Let’s follow Britney Spears’s timeline through several key periods of change in her life.

Brief History of Amazon: From a Garage to Modern Success

What’s the brief history of Amazon? Where did Bezos come up with the idea of Amazon? Bezos’s story is the story of Amazon, the business he founded in 1994. Though Bezos doesn’t take all of the credit for the company’s success, it was he who shouldered the risk of creating an online retail store in a decade. Let’s break down Amazon’s history, from its beginnings in a garage to hurdling through the Covid-19 pandemic.

Abraham Lincoln’s Stance on Slavery & Its Historical Context

What’s the difference between abolition and emancipation? Why didn’t Abraham Lincoln support a federal mandate to free slaves? In And There Was Light, historian and biographer Jon Meacham discusses Abraham Lincoln’s stance on slavery. He explains where Lincoln’s beliefs came from and the actions he took in an effort to end the practice in the United States. Read more to learn about the Great Emancipator’s views and actions in relation to slavery.

Lincoln and Johnson: A Conflict of Visions (Jon Meacham)

Why did Abraham Lincoln choose Andrew Johnson as his running mate? Did Johnson carry on Lincoln’s work? Historian and biographer Jon Meacham writes about the life and leadership of Abraham Lincoln in his book And There Was Light. He also discusses the drastic change of course in the presidency and nation after Lincoln’s assassination. Read more to learn about Lincoln and Johnson, according to Meacham.

Lost Cause Ideology: A Romanticized History of the Civil War?

How did some Confederates view the Union’s victory? How did they hope to keep their cause alive and secure some victory after all? According to historian Jon Meacham, after the Civil War, some of the vanquished Confederates developed an idealized view of their cause. Meacham argues that at least some aspects of this “Lost Cause” ideology persist even today. Continue reading to learn about this perspective on Civil War history.